An Integrated HIV Risk Reduction Intervention for Women with a History of Intimate Partner Violence: Pilot Test...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Women's Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Few HIV risk reduction interventions address the specific needs of women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).
• IPV significantly intersects with sexual risk behaviors, necessitating tailored interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects of an integrated intervention combining IPV and sexual risk reduction for abused women.
• To evaluate the impact of the SUPPORT intervention on HIV risk behaviors and related factors.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 55 women experiencing IPV.
• Participants were randomized to the Supporting Positive and Healthy Relationships (SUPPORT) intervention or a control group.
• Assessments were conducted pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• SUPPORT participants showed a significant decrease in unprotected sex frequency and increased safer sex communication post-intervention.
• Compared to controls, SUPPORT participants reported more safer sex conversations with steady partners and fewer IPV episodes at follow-ups.
• Improvements were observed in sexual relationship power and hypothesized antecedents of HIV-risk behavior.

Conclusions:

• The integrated IPV-sexual risk reduction intervention (SUPPORT) appears feasible, safe, and effective in preliminary testing.
• Findings support the need for a larger clinical trial to further validate this intervention for abused women.
• The intervention shows promise in reducing HIV risk behaviors and improving relationship dynamics among women experiencing IPV.